I am so happy to share favorites from Lara and Kevin’s beautiful wedding! Lara and Kevin were married on Saturday, August 31, at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Washington, DC. Afterward, they celebrated with family and friends at the beautiful Anderson House
Although they both attended The George Washington University and overlapped by one year, Lara and Kevin did not meet until the summer of 2016. Their first date was at The Passenger cocktail bar in DC, and the rest is history! During the past three years, these two have loved traveling the world and exploring new places together, including Paris – where Kevin proposed to Lara beside the Eiffel Tower!
Kevin and Lara selected their wedding ceremony location and venue because they are so iconic to DC. Lara and Kevin are both from other states, but have made Washington, DC their home, so it was so wonderful that these two could showcase their home for their friends and family. The church where Lara and Kevin were married, St. John’s, was built opposite the White House in 1815 and it is known as the “Church of the Presidents” because every United States president, beginning with President James Madison, has attended at least one service at St. John’s. It is so beautiful architecturally, too! The Anderson House is also a stunning DC icon. Kelsey and I photographed Amanda and Gordon’s lovely wedding at The Anderson House one year ago, and we were in absolute awe of the architecture, history, and beauty. And it was just as incredible for Lara and Kevin’s beautiful wedding. The Anderson House is registered as a National Historic Landmark, and it was the PERFECT backdrop to Lara and Kevin’s elegant evening. It is an incredible space, and I loved seeing the guests admire the spectacular two-story ballroom and the beautiful courtyard!
Lara and Kevin’s springtime engagement session was also absolutely and beautifully “DC”! Justin and I met up with Lara and Kevin at the Tidal Basin at sunrise during the cherry blossom festival for a STUNNING engagement session amidst the beautiful pink blooms. It was so gorgeous!!
Lara began their wedding day by getting ready with her bridal party at the apartment she and Kevin share in DC. If you are a lover of details (like me!), you are going to be completely OBSESSED with Lara and Kevin’s wedding day details!! Everything is SO beautiful and so perfectly coordinated. It was so fun styling Lara’s beautiful jewelry, invitations, flowers, and shoes for the big day (and I LOVE LOVE LOVE the pictures that Kelsey and I got of everything!). Lara had found perfectly coordinating fabric – including fabric that matched their wedding linens – and lovely ribbons and ring boxes. It was a styling dream! Plus, Lara and Kevin’s florist, Fluerelity, provided lots of gorgeous styling flowers for us to work with. Plus, Lara and Kevin’s apartment gets the BEST light. (Seriously – THE BEST! I am obsessed with light – and they have amazing light!). And Lara looked absolutely radiant in her gorgeous wedding gown (and with her incredible hair!! Those curls!!).
When Kelsey and I arrived at Lara and Kevin’s home, Lara showed us her and Kevin’s sweet rescue cat, Mabel – who was completely tucked under a shelf and surveying the scene of people suspiciously. When Kelsey tried to get a photo of her, she dashed into the bedroom and hid under the bed the rest of the time we were there. Lara and Kevin later joked that they suspected that Mabel was under the impression that they had planned their entire wedding as a ruse to get her to the vet (haha!!). Thankfully Mabel was proven incorrect and she got to enjoy a vet-free – and relatively stress-free – day once we all headed to the church!
And once everyone arrived at St. John’s, it was ceremony time! Lara and Kevin’s ceremony was officiated by Reverend Doctor Wesley S. Williams, Jr., and his words to Lara and Kevin were so touching and genuine. After the ceremony, all of Lara and Kevin’s guests gathered in front of the church for a sendoff of the bride and groom! Lara and Kevin got into a beautiful historic white Rolls Royce and headed off to the Anderson House (where we got to take pictures with the Rolls Royce – and they are so pretty!!).
When we arrived at the venue, Lara and Kevin took a few minutes to see their beautifully decorated reception space. I love the photos from this moment when these two got to take a break and take it all in – and truly admire their wedding reception. The tables were topped with gorgeous linens, and each had a beautiful centerpiece that matched the bridal party bouquets. Each place card was hand-written in calligraphy, and even the beautiful gold and silver silverware coordinated. The Anderson House is a gorgeous venue, inside and out, and the architectural details were the icing on the cake to Lara and Kevin’s beautiful reception. After admiring the details, we did our fun portraits of these two, the wedding party, and the family – and then it was time for the celebration!
Lara and Kevin’s reception kicked off with their grand entrance down the beautiful ballroom staircase, followed by a group photo on the dance floor. Lara’s father welcomed everyone before dinner, and after dinner, Lara’s maid of honor, Elana, and Kevin’s best man, Blake, gave sweet and touching speeches – and then the band, Lloyd Dobler Effect, took the stage and the dance floor opened up!
Lloyd Dobler Effect was so fun and kept everyone dancing all night! Normally the dance floor gets packed when a DJ plays a song like the cha cha slide, but when Lloyd Dobler Effect took a brief break and played that song, the dance floor cleared out – all anyone wanted to hear was Lloyd Dobler Effect’s awesome music!! They were so much fun and kept the energy going all night (and they are so talented! A live band at a wedding is the best!!).
After Lara and Kevin cut their gorgeous wedding cake (the sugar flower cherry blossom branches were spectacular!), we headed outside for some quick night portraits. Soon after, guests were served fun late night snacks, and at the end of the evening, everyone gathered outside with sparklers for a fun sendoff!! Everything about Lara and Kevin’s day was perfect, and their wonderful planner, Claire, of Claire Duran Events, and Ofe made sure everything ran smoothly and was just as beautiful as the couple had envisioned.
Lara and Kevin, we are so happy for you two!! Congratulations on your marriage and your beautiful wedding! It was such a perfect day – and an incredible celebration with your family and friends. We adore you two!! Enjoy your amazing honeymoon in Italy and around Europe, and enjoy some favorites from your beautiful wedding day! Congratulations!!
Lara and Kevin’s invitation suite was absolute perfect!! The custom designs of their ceremony and reception space are so sweet, and the lovely liners and beautiful calligraphy are stunning.
SO gorgeous Lara!!
I love these photos that Kelsey got of Kevin getting ready so much!
Wedding time!
Married!! Yay!! And I just ADORE this one of these two in the vintage Rolls Royce! It is so classic!
You two are so beautiful!!
LOVE!! Such an all-time favorite! Lara, you are gorgeous!!
Love this!! Look at this wonderful group of guys!
Just look a these beautiful flowers!
I feel like we’ve been transported to Europe! I just love this pretty courtyard behind the Anderson House!
The way Lara’s dress moved when Kevin spun her was breathtaking!
I love both of these so much!
I love both of these so much – but the one on the right of Lara in the Rolls Royce is SO perfect!!
You two are such a gorgeous pair!!
Such a sweet and fun bridal party :)
I love the one on the left of Kevin!!
GORGEOUS!!
Just look at this incredible wedding party!! This group belongs on the cover of a magazine. I love this!!
Lara and Kevin took a few minutes to see their reception space before guests came in. I love this!
Congratulations, Lara and Kevin!!
WEDDING TEAM
CATERING | FEDERAL CITY
PLANNER | CLAIRE DURAN EVENTS
RECEPTION LOCATION | ANDERSON HOUSE
CEREMONY LOCATION | ST. JOHN’S
FLORIST | FLEURELITY
CAKE | CATHERINE GEORGE CAKES
MUSIC | LLOYD DOBLER EFFECT – BIALEK’S MUSIC
GROOM’S ATTIRE | BROOKS BROTHERS
WEDDING GOWN | DESIGNER LOFT
BRIDESMAIDS ATTIRE | JENNY YOO from BELLA BRIDESMAIDS
OFFICIANT | REV. DR. WESLEY S. WILLIAMS, Jr.
HAIR | SHEAR SOCIETY
MAKEUP | MAKEUP BY KEVAN and ERICA BASHA BRIDAL
STATIONARY | DODELINE DESIGN
CALLIGRAPHY | CALLIGRAPHY BY CAROLE
LINENS | BBJ LINENS
TRANSPORTATION | REGAL LIMOUSINE & CHARIOTS FOR HIRE
PHOTOGRAPHY | BROOKE TYSON PHOTOGRAPHY
